I've been thinkin...

[ParrotJoe]

So as some of you know I went ahead and put a deposit on a handfed baby severe. I'm extremely excited, so excited in fact that I'm spending hours and hours a day reading forums, website and all that good stuff about macaws.

When I decided that I wanted a mini macaw it was because I thought they were amazing creatures. I had some negative preconceptions about the large macaws in general mostly because when I was younger they never really appealed to me, and honestly they scared me a bit with that huge beak. Thats probably why I find the mini macaws so amazing , because they're a type of bird I previously didn't know existed and because they dont have huge beaks that look like they could snap my finger in two.

Now I feel like I've opened up Pandoras box by reading so much about macaws. The negative preconceptions I had about the large macaws have all but evaporated, and since been replaced by knowledge which has left me in a total state of awe for these amazing and truely beautiful creatures.

Now I am left here in a mild state of confusion, wondering if I should tell the breeder that I want my deposit to go towards one of the baby blue and gold macaws she has instead of the baby severe macaw.

Some of the things I read that have had a large impact on my mind regarding this decision are the following:

1) The bigger you get with macaws, usually the more gentle. The smaller ones tend to be more nippy.
2) The smaller beaks can actually hurt more than the bigger ones. The smaller ones are faster and therefore make it harder to stop them from biting you if they so choose.
3) The Blue and Gold are like puppies in the way that they play, and seem to be from what I have read, much more cuddly ( this is important to me).
4) While these larger macaws are louder, if well trained and given everything they need, the loud screeches are kept to a minimum.
5) The severe macaws have are endowed with a loud annoying nails on chalkboard type of squawk.
6) The severes tend to show more of a dominant / possessive side than the Blue and Golds.

These are some of the big reasons I'm thinking about getting the B&G instead of the severe, although there are a few others floating around in my subconsciouss which I can't recall at the moment.

I would highly and extremely appreciate any comments you can make that may sway my decision one way or the other. I realize getting a bird is a lifelong commitment and that is why I want to make the best decision possible for my sake and the birds sake.

Just as a side note:
I live with my wife and my blue headed pionus in a two story townhouse. I don't think the noise will be much of an issue with the neighbors because I will be keeping his cage inside. The townhouse is about small to medium sized ( 3 rooms /kitchen / family room). Most of my furniture was handed down to me by parents and friends so it won't be the end of the world if the bird gets his beak on it.

very sincerely,
the semi-confused Parrot Joe

[The Outlaw]

Joe:

Calm down. The problem with buying any bird is that each one is an individual and each one comes with its own set of joys and sorrows. Its impossible to define any living creature fairly because of the variables. I have a Severe that is a delightful creature. They are NOT for everyone. However, when you get the right chemistry, they are a wonderful pet/companion.

I also have 4 wonderful BG macaws and they are my heart. However, I'm currently going through some real difficulties with my maturing oldest male. He has bonded with my younger male and literally attacked me earlier last week. He did some serious damage and I'm still healing. This would have NEVER happened if I only had one bird. However, by having a flock of pet BGs, nature takes its course.

You need to go back to the breeder and talk to them. Spend as much time as they will allow meeting the birds and hopefully one will select you. Very young birds won't have that ability, but as they get closer to weaning, they surely do. A good breeder wants to place its babies in the BEST homes possible. It does them no good to lovingly raise them only to have them neglected or abused.

Personally, I think that BGs and GWs are the best of the macaws. THAT IS ONLY MY OPINION AND NOTHING MORE. That is based solely on MY personal experience and the experiences of close friends who have them. I say best meaning the ones who seem to like humans the most and seem less jittery around new people.

Your Severe, should it prove to be noisy and unhappy may cause problems with your neighbors. Even though they are smaller than the BGs, they do have a natural screech that can really carry. That having been said, an unhappy BG will no doubt have folks banging on the walls.

As with all birds, its YOUR obligation to meet their needs. A bored or unhappy bird will usually either be noisy or self destructive. Owning the big birds is really zoology first, pet owning second.

No birds come with guarantees about what they'll be like in the future. However, by doing your homework and meeting them, you are doing more than many bird owners. That should give you an advantage.

I have 10 larger parrots. Only one of them is small, my quaker. For the most part, with the exception of when a car comes down my driveway or someone is banging on the door, you wouldn't even know I have birds. Mine are happy and simply don't scream. They are the perfect sentinals.

I live in Maryland and would offer you an invitation to stop in and meet my birds. I think I have a microcosim of many of the species. It would give you an idea of what to expect. Feel free to contact me privately.



THE OUTLAW

[bgmacaw]

Joe, Nancy covered alot of points and I would just like to add my feelings. Lori and I had talked about a CAG for a while, then I went to a bird store and was hi-jacked by a B&G. He was about 4 months and picked me on 2 separate visits. Over all we can't imaging life without the two fids, they are a true pleasure to have around and are very entertaining and loving birds.

1) The bigger you get with macaws, usually the more gentle. The smaller ones tend to be more nippy. He has his days.
2) The smaller beaks can actually hurt more than the bigger ones. The smaller ones are faster and therefore make it harder to stop them from biting you if they so choose. Those big beaks hurt, and depending on how they grab you, can take the hide right off. They scrape real well with the bottom beak. And Rio is quite fast. Lori had an older B&G rip her glasses off and throw them to the ground before she knew what was happening.
3) The Blue and Gold are like puppies in the way that they play, and seem to be from what I have read, much more cuddly ( this is important to me). Yeah, like a Lab puppy! Rio does cuddle when he is ready and can be sweet, he also likes to wrestle. Very active bird.
4) While these larger macaws are louder, if well trained and given everything they need, the loud screeches are kept to a minimum. We live in a single family home and have been told by our neighbors that they can hear the birds when we have them inside. Some days they just have more to say than others.
5) The severe macaws have are endowed with a loud annoying nails on chalkboard type of squawk.
6) The severes tend to show more of a dominant / possessive side than the Blue and Golds. I don't know about the comparison, but Rio can be a butthead about what's in his space, throwing things from the top of the cage if he doesn't like it there.

[dyeman]

My 2 B&Gs are my favorites although I love all my birds. However, I would not necessarily limit your decision to just Macaws unless that seems to be where your heart is leading you.

I think all my birds are special in their own way and none of mine are particularly nippy. All the bad bites I have endured have been my fault in retrospect.

That said, I think B&Gs are one of the most interactive, for lack of a better term. KC loves to play and we invent new games with him almost daily. Cyan is just starting to feel more confident and is showing the same characteristics. Neither have ever bitten me severely, although Cyan is a bit beaky right now, I have been told this is normal for her age and just requires a little discipline or boundaries. KC will grab your hand and move it away if you have pushed something too far with him, but only nailed me a couple times when we first got him. He was a 3 year old rehome.

Having made all the above comments, I will say this: You must be able to tolerate at least moderate nips to live with birds in my opinion. In most cases its the human that makes the mistake, but even if it's as simple as a baby losing his balance and grabbing for the first available thing to regain his footing, you are occasionally going to get nipped and how you react and handle these situations will sometimes define the relationship you have with your bird.

Ask a lot of questions and read as much as you can. Birds are the most wonderful companions imaginable, but with that comes more care and responsibility.

[dyeman]

By the way, I live in NC and would offer the same as Nancy. I am moving soon, but if you aren't in a big hurry and live nearby, I would be willing to let you meet my KC and Cyan to give you an idea of temperment.

[LivingFiction]

You've fallen into a common cycle my friend. But I suppose it's good that you've gotten there before you brought home your baby and not after.

Some people are able to handle large flocks, be they large birds like the Outlaw, or small birds like Tiki. But for the rest of us, one or two can make for a full house. That is why we got Feo even though the initial investment was signifigant for where we are in our lives.

Large Macaws are completely different compainons than other kinds of birds. Amazons, Macaws, Cockatiels, such vast differences that it's important to consider what fits you best. Hurley and Feo are totally different kinds of pets. Apart from the feathers and the beak they have very little in common.

I don't know much about the mini macaws, I've never met one in person, but if I were interested in a bird that size I'd probably be more apt to look into an amazon or a grey. I would never try and talk someone out of a particular species that they had researched and decided upon, going into with their eyes open, but between those two, if money and space were not an issue, I'd go with the B&G hands down.

[ParrotJoe]

Many thanks to all of you who replied, you all are great!

I live all the way in South Florida or I would take you both up on the offer to come visit, I would love to see your flocks in person! After reading all of your posts I've decided the best decision is to let the bird make the decision. I'll continue to visit the breeder as often as she allows and talk to her about possibly wanting the BG instead. But in the end I think it will come down to which bird clicks with me the best. Thanks again for the replies, and have a good one.

Joe

[DocT]

I think everyone gave you great advice about Macaws. I too own a 20 year old Blue & Gold. He is a gentle giant and is a joy to own, Bubba and I have a very special bond with each other. He can be loud very LOUD but I do find the B&G to only do short spurts of a loud yell as they would in the wild to communicate. They do however make wonderful watch dogs because when someone comes over he gives a yell evertime. All of my friends are used to this and say HELLO BUBBA Anyone can hold Bubba but few of my friends will because of the intimidating size of his beak.It's good that you are doing research about all of the Macaws and I'm sure you will make a decision that is right for you. Good Luck.

Bonnie

[dino24]

Hey Joe,
If it was me and this is saying something cause I tend to get intimated a little by the size of the macaw beak I would go for the B&G and that is cause I have been around both and the B&G's are usually gentle giants. But if the breeder will let you let the baby pick you then that would be best so maybe you can try that. Good luck.

[Soda Pop]

Parrot Joe,
First, If it were me, hands down I would choose a blue and gold. I had the blessings of getting to know my moms and I was TOTALLY terrified of that bird for a very long time. I wouldnt even give her a chance. She wanted to get to know me but I just couldnt do it. Well, I ended up having to stay with my mom for a couple of months while my husband relocated us to a different state and got us all set up. My mom works during the day and I would stay home. I felt it unfair for her big birds to stay in the cage all day when I was home. I spent alot of time on the floor and let her bird come check me out. I thought I would just die at first. After a couple of days, I realized that she was the most incredible bird I had ever met!!!! I miss her terribley!!!! The personality of the blue and golds fit me completley.
Anyways, I would rather be bit by a B&G than my lil too anyday. There beeks are bigger but in my opinion its much different!!!
With all that being said, and I certianally hope I dont make anyone mad here, I dont want to get booted for my opinion, BUT.... Is there a rescue where you live? Im sure they would love for you to come spend time with there birds and get to know one very special bird. I have noticed that there are usually B&Gs at the rescues and you would have the opertunity to bond with one and bring it home. There are so many wonderful plusses to bringing one home from a rescue and you will know what you are getting which is really a nice plus. Anyways, Ill just leave it at that. I hope you find the right bird for you and have many years of happiness witrh him or her. When my family grows up more {lil baby in the house} I will be adopting a B&G someday.
Good Luck, Angel and Soda Pop